MM & Old Age

sylbates
sylbates Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Multiple Myeloma #1
My father 74, was diagnosed with MM last Spring of '03. The Oncologist were hopeful that they can put my dads cancer in remission. Extensive high dose of cancer treatment, then bone marrow transplant to put his cancer in remission. He was on strong full dose of chemo, plus Decadron. Last July, he suffered a seizure, possible stroke, the doctors can't fully confirmed that he had a stroke. Now, his current oncologist won't even touch the subject matter of bone marrow transplant as discussed earlier, in fear of my dad possibly having another seizure/stroke. He's a normal functioning man, organs, etc., othen than the fact that he has a MM, and was told that he needs to be taking Decadron for the rest of his life. I'm seeking 2nd opinion for his treatment. Is there anyone out there who has had similar experience as my dad? But, did complete bone marrow transplant?

Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    Bone Marrow Transplant at age 74? The mortality rate is high if you look at Dana Farber Cancer Institute or Sloan or Mayo Clinic - Im looking at Stem Cell Transplant... and that is bad enough
  • sylbates
    sylbates Member Posts: 8

    Bone Marrow Transplant at age 74? The mortality rate is high if you look at Dana Farber Cancer Institute or Sloan or Mayo Clinic - Im looking at Stem Cell Transplant... and that is bad enough

    Thanks for your thought. I can't say yae or nae of a bone marrow transplant at his age, not to mention seizure/stroke last year. And I really can't make my dad understand the implications of this procedure, possible grim outcome. The only thing in his mind is the transplant, and I can relate to him wanting it desperately. Besides taking Decadron, there's got to be something else out there, other than transplant. My dad has survived the Vietnam war, out of 100 of his soldier mates, only 2 survived, him and another soldier. Even coming out of coma last year, and fighing back to get normal. My dad has never imagined that cancer will ultimately take his life. Scared, but hopeful.
  • jan44
    jan44 Member Posts: 1
    sylbates said:

    Thanks for your thought. I can't say yae or nae of a bone marrow transplant at his age, not to mention seizure/stroke last year. And I really can't make my dad understand the implications of this procedure, possible grim outcome. The only thing in his mind is the transplant, and I can relate to him wanting it desperately. Besides taking Decadron, there's got to be something else out there, other than transplant. My dad has survived the Vietnam war, out of 100 of his soldier mates, only 2 survived, him and another soldier. Even coming out of coma last year, and fighing back to get normal. My dad has never imagined that cancer will ultimately take his life. Scared, but hopeful.

    www.myeloma.org The International Myeloma Foundation has a lot of information and a mailing list where members can get information, as well. An autologous transplant is the least risky of all. A transplant is just another option. There are many other treatments available and more on the horizon.
  • prisgage
    prisgage Member Posts: 5
    Just need to talk to someone in my Moms situation. Her name is Pris gage..mine is Jean, her daughter..we have just set up webpage and wanting feedback about where one goes for support and treatment options at age 79.
  • prisgage
    prisgage Member Posts: 5
    Just need to talk to someone in my Moms situation. Her name is Pris gage..mine is Jean, her daughter..we have just set up webpage and wanting feedback about where one goes for support and treatment options at age 79.
  • g_v_Larry
    g_v_Larry Member Posts: 1
    prisgage said:

    Just need to talk to someone in my Moms situation. Her name is Pris gage..mine is Jean, her daughter..we have just set up webpage and wanting feedback about where one goes for support and treatment options at age 79.

    I was diagnosed in July 03 with MM, had Stem Cell Replacement Therapy (aka Bone Marrow Transplant) in Jan 04. I am 66 now and checked out of the Hosp. 13 days after transplant. Back to work driving bus 6 weeks later, doing fine.
  • sylbates
    sylbates Member Posts: 8
    g_v_Larry said:

    I was diagnosed in July 03 with MM, had Stem Cell Replacement Therapy (aka Bone Marrow Transplant) in Jan 04. I am 66 now and checked out of the Hosp. 13 days after transplant. Back to work driving bus 6 weeks later, doing fine.

    Glad to hear your doing fine. How was your transplant? Was it painful? Did you take any medications? i.e., Thalomid, Velcade? I heard in some instance patients after transplant, they were still experiencing horrible pain, they were then prescribed Thalomid, and no pain, and best of all, cancer cell gone. My father was taking Thalomid, apparently it didn't agree with his condition, so now he's taking Velcade.
  • suzannah
    suzannah Member Posts: 3
    g_v_Larry said:

    I was diagnosed in July 03 with MM, had Stem Cell Replacement Therapy (aka Bone Marrow Transplant) in Jan 04. I am 66 now and checked out of the Hosp. 13 days after transplant. Back to work driving bus 6 weeks later, doing fine.

    hello My name is Suzannah age 56 live in the united kingdom. Diagnosed with MM in March 2003 undergone chemo etc stem cell transplant in November 2003 feeling fine, doing really well back to work. Please let me know how you are doing as it is now April 2005. Best wishes suzannah.
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